14 April 2008

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif is set to make his long-awaited return from injury after he was recalled to the squad to play Bangladesh in the last two One Day Internationals this week.

He has not played for his country since last October, suffering an elbow injury which required surgery but he played in a domestic One Day game last week.

"I have been working hard on rehabilitation process to make a comeback and after playing in the one-day game last week, I felt comfortable and bowled to a nice rhythm," Asif said.

Pakistan lead the series 3-0 after comfortable wins in the opening match and a closer victory on Sunday in Lahore.

The selectors have also called up young bowlers Wahab Riaz and Kamran Hussain who made their debuts against Zimbabwe earlier in the year as they continue to blood youngsters for the future.

"We have had many fitness issues with our pace bowlers in recent years," captain Shoaib Malik said.

"The series against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh have allowed us to ease some promising new bowlers into international cricket.

"We need to have enough bowlers to overcome fitness issues and have a rotation policy when possible."

The next match is in Multan on April 16th.

Bangladesh In Pakistan 2007/8